Depth-Resolved Algal Bloom Mapping at Lake Okeechobee, FL

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) issued an initial announcement for a funding opportunity titled "Depth-Resolved Algal Bloom Mapping at Lake Okeechobee, FL." This initiative seeks applications for a lake assessment effort to conduct R&D on harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Lake Okeechobee through environmental data collection via sensors and surface water sample analysis. The project aims to understand HAB behavior, identify environmental triggers, and compare new data with historical datasets from Clinton Lake, KS. The estimated award ceiling and total program funding are $95,500. The announcement outlines a two-phase application process, with statements of interest due by February 13, 2026, and full proposals (by invitation) due by March 15, 2026. This opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). The public will benefit from improved understanding of HAB causes, assisting lake managers in issuing timely advisories and reducing public health risks.